Competency assessment program: Inspect and report on embankment dam safety
Dams Safety NSW (DSNSW) offers a non-accredited online course, Surveillance of embankment dams – routine inspections, that closely aligns with the National Water Training Package Unit of Competency NWPCAD011 – Inspect and report on embankment dam safety.
To help declared dam owners, DSNSW also offers a competency assessment program for people who have successfully completed the online course and work for an organisation with a declared dam in NSW.
For a fee, eligible candidates can apply to be assessed for competency against the unit NWPCAD011.
About the competency assessments
Competency assessments are undertaken by Water Training Australia, a private registered training organisation that delivers nationally recognised training qualifications to water and mining industries.
Candidates are assessed against the National Water Training Package Unit of Competency NWPCAD011 – Inspect and report on embankment dam safety.
The competency assessment process comprises of four elements:
- Pre-field activities and tasks
- A face-to-face assessment day in the field with other candidates
- Post-field day activities and tasks
- Notification of assessment outcome and issuing of certificate if successful
The ‘in the field’ component of the assessment will be held at an embankment dam site in NSW. These events are scheduled periodically in Sydney and regional NSW. Locations and timings are determined based on the best fit for the mix of participants, assessors and available venues.
Cost
Assessment costs $250 per person (including GST). Note that this cost is non-refundable and is linked to a specific assessment event date and time. You will not be asked to pay until you have been offered a place on a specific field assessment event.
Eligibility
To be assessed for competency, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be employed as a staff member of a declared dam-owning organisation in NSW, OR be the owner of a declared dam in NSW. Consultants and contractors1 who work with declared dam- owning organisations, or owners or employees of non-declared dams are NOT eligible under this program.
- Have completed the DSNSW online ‘Surveillance of embankment dams – routine inspections’ course and gained a Certificate of Completion
- Have at least six months’ experience inspecting embankment dams before completing the online course
- Have an additional two months’ or more appropriate practical experience applying the learnings from the online course since the date of issue of the certificate of completion
- Have completed at least two routine visual inspection reports of an embankment dam.
How to apply to be considered for a competency assessment
To be considered for assessment, you will need to:
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EoI)
- Attach your Certificate of Completion from the online ‘Surveillance of embankment dams – routine inspections course’
- Provide proof of current employment with a declared dam-owning organisation in NSW, such as a letter on company letterhead
Once your EoI has been received, DSNSW will review it and contact you with any further questions.
If you are eligible, DSNSW will offer you a place in a field assessment event when one becomes available that matches your requirements. Note: this may occur several months after you submit your EoI, particularly if demand for places is high.
How to register and pay once you have been offered a place
To take up the offered place, you need to register and pay in full. We will issue you a registration form to complete and an invoice with instructions on how to pay. Refunds for changes made by candidates are not available, unless made for compassionate reasons, and places are not transferable to other dates or candidates.
Once you have paid, you will be directed to Water Training Australia who will take you through the remainder of the assessment process.
It is recommended that embankment dam inspectors be re-assessed every five years. For more information, contact info@damsafety.nsw.gov.au